Somebody asked me if it is true, that my age is way past 30’s. I just told them the truth, nothing less. Maybe it’s just a way to amuse me further, when they thought I am just 26 or something. But really, inside me is just so younger than what my real age is. I believe that even if we age, one must try to keep a youthful attitude towards an inspiring life.

But folks, I am also into thinking sometimes. It is only roughly eight more years before I reach the 40’s. Don’t misconstrue that I am experiencing some mid-life crisis. I am just trying to think ahead and be wise about the decisions I have to take in the future.

Things now are uncertain, but I would like to push myself into realizing the artistic pursuits which I am always aspiring to do. I would pursue more frequently my writing. I would pursue more frequently my painting. I would pursue learning music most especially playing piano. Or maybe, I would get myself involved into the academic work or consultancy work. Or on a more grander scale, I would do missions work or to be with an NGO group.

Some may think that the things I hope for the future are too ideal. Unprofitable and would not generate any substantial monetary investment for me. Which partly is true, but I have learned not to trust too much on these things. I still abide to put my trust in God, who knows much more than I am, and the One who knows about the future that I have to take.

I am optimistic that eight years before the 40’s is much a life ahead. There’s just so much more things that can happen. I would only strive to pick or select the things which matters and inspiring me to be thankful of the years passing. But on the other hand, I too myself, is being realistic, in the sense that I do not know until when will I have to live more. Nobody knows. So I try not to attach myself on things. Because things are just passing. It can be lost. It can fade to obscurity.

What matters most, is that I have lived a life that is fulfilling and enriching. That I have given myself selflessly to a worthy cause which imparts love, compassion and commitment to others. That I have inspired others to live life on simple terms and have faith to the One who is omniscient of all.

Poly, an Indian working as a licensed architect in Mumbai in his topic " how degrading his salary" lamented his woes on receiving an annual salary amounting USD$ 3,300. Roughly equivalent to Php 165,000. A gross monthly income of Php 13,750.

In the Philippines, the same scenario has similarly taken place since architectural practice is unfair and controlled by monopoly of star architects and the wealthy conglomerates and corporations. The stream of available projects has been fiercely competed eversince the financial crash of 1997. Major infrastructure, complexes and high rise building projects were halted. Real estate businesses, construction firms and architectural firms mellowed for such a long time. Coupled with unstable political situations such as Erap ascendancy as president and the corruption scandals that rocked our integrity as a nation. The economy is in a downside.

A regular, newly licensed architect can make the bottom offer of Php 10,000 per month to work for an architectural firm, as this is my observation since 2000. And since CAD came into the picture, virtually all of architects must learn a number of CAD and 3d-modelling softwares such as AutoCAD, 3dMax, Microstation, AutoViz, ADT, Maya, Vectorworks and graphic enhancing softwares such as Photoshop, Corel and Macromedia Flash to stay competitive as ever.

In an honest observation, AutoCAD operators and 3d renderers make the killing for taking home a higher bracket of paychecks. They become more in demand since overseas companies dealing with design and construction scouts for them in volumes. Now, being a CAD expert does not need you to be a graduate of architecture or engineering course, a technical 3-months training on AutoCAD will do.

I remember when I got my license to practice as a new architect, I have tried to apply for an architect job at one of the best architecture firms located in Pasay City. I am regretful to note that I am competing with undergraduates and underlicensed with the position.

I begin to doubt regulation and licensure for the architecture profession, if it serves its purpose well. It never occured to me that the battleground is really rife with unfair competition and politics between school affiliations, "padrino system" and the like.

This continuing condition and the eroding standards of the architecture profession plus the almost predictable nature of PRC of producing professionals like selling hotcakes, will never stop the exodus of architects and technical professionals from leaving the country.

This is because the pay scales is something to frown about with in the Philippines. We got the lowest cost of living in the world based on a survey that complements low wages. And it only translates to low standards of living.

With architects prone to malpractices such as incessant signing of construction documents for building permits ranging from Php 500 to Php 1000 per package, which violates its code of ethics, is an open secret. And the many, fall prey to corrupt practices to clinch a project deal. It is rampantly being practised even by the very front runners of the architectural organization.

Growing discontent among majority of licensed of architecture have no recourse but to take the inevitable career switch to other profitable jobs and professions. Like nursing, caregiving course, tech-vocational, teaching and immigrating to Canada, US, Australia and New Zealand to work there as domestic helpers, construction workers, interior decorator, cashier, farmer or a factory worker.

So it was, my assumptions are right, there is no future for architecture in the Philippines. With the pay scales almost insulting even if I do want to think of doing it for the love of the profession. To the point that I am regretting of my seemingly unwise career decision to push through with it, no matter how bad and hard it is.

And the lure of getting a different kind of job that pays well is almost a tempting offer that is leaving me no room to refuse. Then the choice might be uncontestable. It is disheartening to think that I make a living by struggling to fight the many injustices in our profession while seeing myself being laughed upon and scorned by my contemporaries. Stuck in here defending my pride. Stuck in here hoping for the hopeless. Stuck in here upholding the ethical standards which is of no use to abate poverty and discrimination.

Hames

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Currently Reading

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

The Book

Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker—his classmate and crush—who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he’ll find out how he made the list.